Yoga Story Time: Caution! Road Signs Ahead

Yoga Story Time For Ages: 2-5 years old

Do you look out the window when you’re driving along? Me too! Have you ever seen signs on the side of the road? Each sign tells the driver something important. Let’s get into our cars and spot some road signs together!

In this Bendy Bookworm Yoga Story Time video for Children (ages: 2-5 years old), we'll read pages from “Caution! Road Signs Ahead” by Toni Buzzeo AND move through some silly yoga poses as we read.

If you’d like to purchase your own copy of “Caution! Road Signs Ahead” by Toni Buzzeo click HERE!

Luna's Map: The ONLY Yoga Kids Book You'll Need

Oh my heavens, I WROTE A BOOK!!!! Okay so if you have been able to guess by my bio, my blog, or just having ANY type of conversation with me: I’m pretty obsessed with books. Not only do I teach yoga to kids but I’m a children’s librarian so yeah… books are important to me AND a huge central part to my methodology. It’s like peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and Oreos or peanut butter and ice cream.. they just stick together to make something super yummy. In the beginning, when I was first starting out I turned to my books because “When in doubt, go to the library.”

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But the problem was that all of the Yoga books for kids were… ALL yoga. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the books taught beautiful sequences; they had lovely illustrations, simple instructions, and creative poses. But they weren’t stories. 

So get ready here’s the peanut butter…..

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I wanted a kids picture book that was STORY first, then yoga. Not yoga at the expense of the story. And so, voila, “Luna’s Map” was written with these key instructions in mind:

Before the story begins, there are two pages with pose illustrations and then …it’s an ACTUAL story (gasp!). 

Luna is a little yogi who is super excited to meet-up with her friends for a picnic on the other side of the river. So she grabs her map and a pair of binoculars and then she's off on an adventure!  Little yogi’s will join Luna as she follows the directions from her map to meet her friends!

Not only is this kids yoga book an actual picture book, it also allows your little yogi opportunities to practice the cognitive and developmental skills (the signature sauce of what we do at Bendy Bookworm Yoga.. the peanut butter if you will) that are super important and also super easy to incorporate! Why? Because Interactive learning is ALWAYS a helpful tool. And because books can offer so much passive learning possibility. So here it is:

In this book, Luna’s Map by Danielle Fisher, children will move-to-learn through yoga AND a story. They will practice the following developmental skills-

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, visual processing (mirroring movement), following a sequence, and memory 
Motor/Physical Skills: coordination, muscle isolation, strength building, and balance 
Emotional Skills: self reliance, friendship, and accomplishment 

Visit the Shop by clicking HERE to Purchase "Luna’s Map" for your little yogis or any little yogis in your life! And start moving, reading, and learning the Bendy Bookworm way TODAY!

For paperback and International purchasing click HERE!

4 Yoga Poses to Help Your Kids Stop Fighting With Each Other

I once read somewhere that this particular author’s mom was able to teach sibling connection through the worst of sibling showdowns by forcing the two parties to sit and look each other in the eye.  That was it.  They just looked into each other eyes. In that practice, they remembered that they were siblings, that they loved each other, and that there WAS connection.   But here’s the thing: siblings FIGHT! And chances are, they’re fighting even more cooped up during this stay at home order.  So before you try the “look in the eye” technique, you might want to exhaust the rage a little first:

Wanna Yell?  Yell in Lion Pose.

Have them kneel on the ground with their bottom resting on their heels.  Direct them to draw their hands up and then curl their fingers into claws; stick their tongue out and roll their eyes back to gaze up at their forehead: Inhale through the nose and on the exhale HAHHHH! the breath out.  OR if they prefer ROAR the breath out.  Repeat as needed….chances are they’ll either yell themselves out or they’ll be laughing from the silliness of the pose.

Wanna Compete? Who can hold plank pose the longest?

Have them start in tabletop position with their wrists under their shoulders.  Direct them step their feet directly back and hover over the ground.  They must keep their backs’ straight (no bum lifting) and hold until someone can’t hold anymore.  **Added challenge: have them alternate between lifting and lowering their legs!

Can’t see the Other’s side?  Flip it upside down with a wide legged forward fold.

Want to attempt to change perspective?  Have both of them stand back to back, stretch their legs wider than shoulder distance apart (so they’re standing in a wide legged stance).  Lower their hands down to the ground (now they’re in a wide legged forward fold).  Maybe now try the look into each other’s eyes trick or talk to each other from this position… even if they keep fighting, it’ll be pretty hilarious!

Hug Yourself.  Hug Them.

Fighting may be about them needing to validate the other.  But it also might be about them needing to validate themselves: Have your child reach their hands out to their sides (parallel to the floor).  Stretch the arms out as wide as possible then have them wiggle their right fingers to their left shoulder. PAUSE. Wiggle their left fingers to their right shoulder. Once each hand is on a shoulder (or as close to as they can manage), have them twist and give their right hand a little kiss.  And then have them twist and give their left hand a little kiss.  Give them a hug and maybe they’ll be ready to hug each other.

More Movement may also help release some of the pent up energy and emotions! Why not try taking one of my live classes?

3 Yoga Poses to get Yourself to turn off Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime....

I heard Netflix has taken away the “Are you Still Watching?” function, because we’re ALL still watching. Hopefully these poses help you to stop watching, just for a bit….

Step One:
Break Eye Contact with Chin Lifts

Roll your shoulders back and lift your chin to neutral.  Turn your head to look to the right, lift your chin as you gaze up towards the ceiling, then lower your chin back to neutral.  Move your head to center before turning your head to the left, lifting your chin to gaze up towards the ceiling, and lowering your chin back down to neutral.  Repeat slowly breaking your gaze from the computer screen.

Step Two:
Move from that watching the screen Sphinx Pose to Cobra Pose

From laying propped on the floor, resting on your forearms (with your legs extended behind you and your toes untucked): Move your hands back to plant, palms down, in line with your chest. Press down into your hands and the tops of your feet as you lift your head and chest off the floor. Keep your lower ribs on the floor. Open your chest, move your heart forward.

Step Three:
Take your dog for a walk

Since you’re probably already on the floor just move onto your hands and knees. Place your knees in line with your hips and your hands in line with your shoulders. Tuck your toes under and lift your knees away from the floor. Keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lift your tailbone toward the ceiling (envision an upside down “V”). You can peddle out the legs; bending and straightening on the breath.

NEED MORE MOVEMENT? Why not try taking one of my live classes for Adults?

3 Yoga Poses to Help Your Kid SIT for Distance- Learning

Sitting for school is hard enough. Sitting at HOME for school, yikes! A little bit of movement might make things easier….

Chair Warrior

Stand behind your chair or table and hold on for balance.  Now slide your right toes back and tap your toes to the ground three times.  Now begin to lift your right foot up until it’s parallel to the ground. Keeping it lifted high: Can you move it to the right? And then move it back?  Now return back to start and try the left foot!

Air Chair

Plant both feet firmly on the ground. Lift your bum off the chair just a bit: sit in an “air chair”.  Lower your bum to tap your chair and lift. For an extra challenge, do it on tippy toes! Keep lifting and lowering until you're tired and just want to sit and listen.

Chair Twists

Sometimes you just need to wind to unwind.  Start by sitting on the edge of your seat. Now twist to the right so that your right hand rests on your left knee and your left hand grips the back of the chair.  Try and look over your left shoulder? What’s going on back there? Come back to the center and now try twisting to the left.

NEED MORE MOVEMENT? Why not try taking one of my live classes?

3 Yoga Poses to Find the Motivation to get Yourself Dressed in the Morning

Let’s be honest, what’s the point of getting dressed when you’re staying in? Here are some poses to start the day with movement and motivation…. maybe you’ll even shampoo your hair? Nah… Let’s just all get on a shirt that doesn’t have a stain and call it a win!

Seated Sun Breaths

Begin by sitting in easy pose (criss cross your legs) and bring your hands to your sides.  Inhale and reach your arms around and up; gaze moves up to watch your palms touch above your head.  Exhale your arms back down to your sides; gaze lowers down to look at your lap. Repeat for several breathes; inhaling/ arms up, exhaling/ arms down.

Seated Cat/Cow

Begin by sitting in easy pose (criss cross your legs) and bring your palms down on your knees or shins.  Take an inhale and pull your chest forward, lifting your chin up to the ceiling (creating a “c” curve in your spin).  Exhale, round your back and tuck your chin to your chest. Move back and forth through this spinal wake-up for several breaths.

Seated Laced Finger/ Neck Stretch

Begin by sitting in easy pose (criss cross your legs) and bring your hands to your sides.  Inhale and reach your arms around and up; palms touch above your head. Exhale your arms back down and lace your fingers behind your back.  Pull the fist away from your back (maybe coming into a baby back bend). Move the laced finger fist to the right hip as you gently draw the right ear down to the right shoulder.  Squeeze the elbows together behind your back. Release the hands. Inhale and reach your arms around and up; palms touch above your head. Exhale your arms back down and lace your fingers behind your back (place the opposite thumb on top).  Pull the fist away (maybe coming into a baby back bend). Move the laced finger fist to the left hip, as you gently draw the left ear to the left shoulder. Squeeze the elbows together behind your back. Release.

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3 Yoga Poses to Get Your Kid Dressed in the Morning

Because we all know quarantine or not, this should be an Olympic Sport….

Putting Your Shirt On
(Side Stretches)

Stand with both of your feet on the ground.  Wiggle and reach your left fingers towards the ground while you stretch your right arm up and over your head towards the left. Wiggle and reach your right fingers towards the ground while you stretch your left arm up and over your head towards the right.

Putting Your Pants On
(Standing Hand to Toe)

Stand with both of your feet on the ground.  Reach one foot up, stretch it straight out in front of you, and stomp your foot back to the ground.  Repeat on the opposite foot.

Buttons and Zippers
(Side Twists)

Stand with both of your feet on the ground.  Bring your arms up for goal post arms and then lower the forearms so that they are parallel to the ground.  Twist and turn all the way to the right and then twist and turn all the way to the left. Repeat a few times twisting back and forth.

You have officially won the Gold Medal for The Morning Routine. Fill out the form below and receive a FREE Bendy Bookworm Yoga Video for a celebration prize for you and your child.

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3 Yoga Poses to STOP Yourself from Screaming

…when counting breaths isn’t enough, here are some yoga poses for you to release some of the anger and frustration; so it can leave your body in motion NOT in volume!

Swaying Palm- Tree Pose

Stand with your feet parallel and about hip-distance apart. Interlace your fingers and on the inhale, lift your arms straight up alongside your ears.  On your next inhalation, flip the palms up toward the ceiling; lengthen and stretch to the left. Return to center, exhale, and release your arms.. Repeat the pose on the other side.

Heavy Forward Fold

Stand with your feet parallel and about hip-distance apart.  Swing the arms forward and up; reaching the fingertips towards the sky.  Reach as high as you can, lengthen the entire body, you may even lift to tip toes.  Reach on the inhale and sigh out the exhale dropping your fingertips heavy towards the ground. REPEAT as many times as necessary.

Lion Pose (Bendy Bookworm Version)

Kneel on the ground with your bottom resting on your heels.  Draw your hands up and curl your fingers into claws. Stick your tongue out (and if you’re comfortable: roll your eyes back to gaze up at your forehead).  Inhale through the nose and on the exhale HAHHHH! the breath out. OR if you prefer ROAR the breath out. Repeat as needed….until you’ve yelled yourself out or the silliness of the pose has you laughing!

Need a moment to yourself to practice the poses above? Fill out the form below and receive a FREE Bendy Bookworm Yoga Video for your child.

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The Fish Song

The Fish Song: A move-to-learn rhyme video intended to target developmental skills.
For Ages: 18 months- 6 years old.

In this video, children will practice-
Cognitive Skills: counting, colors, and vocabulary
Motor/Physical Skills: crossing the midline, circular motions

Want to practice more move-to-learn rhymes, songs, and poses like the Video above? Fill out the form below and receive a FREE Bendy Bookworm Yoga Video for your child.

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Yoga Games For 1st- 3rd Graders

When teaching to 6 and ups, you can begin to flow a bit more; their attention will hold for several poses together, their memory ability is more advanced, and their motor skills are much more developed.  Yoga games can become a little bit more challenging; less about learning and more about recall. These are some favorites:

Yogi Says

Simon Says with a Yogi Twist; call out and perform different poses while the children watch and copy ONLY the poses you do AFTER saying “Yogi Says”.  i.e. “Yogi Says Downward Facing Dog” (pose they will copy) / “Warrior I” (pose they shouldn’t be tricked into copying). They love this game! It’s a great way to transition between class sequences or to fill time at the end.  It can also be used to warm them up or slow them down (just alter the speed and pose choices accordingly).

Yoga Freeze Dance

Similar to the game played with the 5 and under’s; play a song for free movement expression.  On the pause, for this age group, you will yell out a specific pose for them to try to remember and practice. 
***For a “musical chairs” variation: place pose cards on the floor, when the song is paused they have to land on a card and perform the pose. 

Sun Races

I usually start class with this: We’ll do one or two Sun Salutation sequences together slowly.  Then we move on to one or two a bit faster, moving through them on breath.  Finally, I let them race the sequence with me. It’s challenging for them to remember each pose. They have a lot of fun trying to hit each pose and go as fast as they can.  It’s a great way to warm them up, get them laughing, and enjoying themselves. When we start the class with laughter, they are more willing to try different poses throughout the rest of the class time.

Hot Block (Hot Potato)

 Have the children sit in a circle, in modified boat pose.  Place a foam block between the feet of several children (strategically spread around the circle).  Play some music and tell the students to pass the blocks from feet to feet (trying NOT to use their hands) around the circle….until the music stops! A ridiculous core exercise that will help them with balance, coordination, and stress (teaching them to breathe when the pressure is on).  Keep it fun… no one has to be out!
***For Added Level of Difficulty: Pass the block is full modified Boat Pose (HANDS OFF THE FLOOR)!!!

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Yoga Games For 5 Year Olds and Under

Want to engage your toddler group?  Keep them focused and flowing for longer?  Break up your class structure! Add in transitions, change up the style, and keep it moving!  These are some best practices that I have experimented and adapted for best results:

Yoga Freeze Dance

At this age children can’t be expected to remember specific poses.  Begin by playing some music for free movement expression, after a minute or two pause the song and demonstrate the pose you would like them to copy (mountain, star, tabletop).  Be PATIENT. The children will not transition as quickly as you: give them time to realize the song has paused and give them time to copy your pose. Once most (if not all) children are in the pose, begin playing music for free movement expression again.  REPEAT.
Optimal Engagement will last anywhere from 5- 7 minutes depending on the majority age of the class.

Songs and Rhymes

5 and unders are easily engaged with rhymes and songs.  It is a wonderful way for them to process, learn, retain, and recall.  Using some familiar songs will promote participation and encourage memorization.  Some rhymes I find particularly easy to incorporate:
Old MacDonald Had A Farm- pick an animal, perform the pose, sing the song
London Bridge- Get into bridge pose, alternate lifting legs while singing the song, allow the children to tumble down and rest
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star- Alternate between star pose and crescent pose, maybe add a little shimmering in there too!!

Picture to Pose

This works like flashcards: Have a handful of images (that you can turn into poses I.e. flower, chair, moon, etc.) to show the children.  Allow them to name the image, tell you its color, multiple names (ie coat or jacket), the name in a different language, etc.  Guide engagement with each image and give them time to incorporate any new words and the image into their word bank. Then practice the pose associated with the image.  You can use words built around a theme or a letter.

If you’d like to practice some of these games with me, you can watch and move to my FREE toddler yoga video: “Good Morning!” Just fill out the form below, receive the link and press play!

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Yoga Poses for AFTER your Toddler Falls

Kids fall.  I don’t have to tell you this.  We talk a lot about getting back up after a fall. But the emphasis always seems to be about the getting back up part.  For me, it’s less about getting back up and more about facing that thing again.  Kids are tough. Most of the time they’ll get back up… but will they want to try it again? These poses are meant for AFTER the fall, after they’ve gotten back up, and after you’ve dried their tears and calmed their wailing.  These 4 Yoga poses are for what comes next: the moment when they have to choose to face that damn hard thing again or avoid it.

Lion Pose

…..for bravery.  It takes some serious bravery to try something after you’ve already gotten hurt, failed, burned, etc.  Lion Pose is perfect for facing that challenge and roaring in its face. Roaring is empowering, it’s the “I got this!” yell that comes after the “Shit that hurts” crying.  Have your toddler sit on their heels. Raise their hands and curl their fingers into fierce lion claws. Stick their tongues out (no child can stick their tongue out and NOT giggle) take a deep breath in and ROAR that breath back out! AS LOUD AS THEY CAN!  Repeat as many roars as needed to feel ready to charge that challenge.

Tabletop (child’s bridge) Pose

…..for finding ways to cross the gaps.  Sometimes it’s less about force and more about imagination.  Frustration can be just as disheartening as a face plant. Practicing bridge pose is perfect for teaching them to try a different way of tackling the problem (tying shoes, getting their jacket on, and brushing their teeth are all frustrating skills that can create an opportunity for bridge pose problem solving).  Have them sit on their bottoms, plant their hands on the ground (on either side of their hips), and step the soles of their feet down on the ground. Count to three and have them lift their belly buttons up to the sky (lifting their bottoms off the ground). Lower back down.
***For an extra challenge, lift one foot up towards the ceiling (repeat with the opposite foot). 

Explorer Pose

….for staying curious. Teaching curiosity will help combat self defeatism and doubt.  It separates the child from the problem so that the child’s identity does not become mixed up in the failure.  I know the dreaded “Why?” can be frustrating when asked over and over. BUT encourage it! “Why?” creates endless possibilities. Ending the “Why?” forces unnecessary conclusions (like “It’s my fault” “I’m not good enough” “I can’t do this”).  Have your toddler begin on their hands and knees. Guide them to reach one foot back and lift the leg up, parallel to the ground. Repeat on the opposite side!
**For an extra challenge, have them reach the opposite arm out in front  (parallel to the ground) and if they really want to try something hard: have them bring their hand to their eye like they are looking through a spyglass)!

Bird Pose

….for flying. This pose is to remind them of their own strength and the freedom of flight (success).  Avoiding a problem keeps them grounded and stuck; accomplishing hard things brings them freedom and choice.  Have them stand tall with their arms lifted out to their sides like wings. Drag one toe back and tap the ground three times.  Then begin to lift that back foot up (parallel to the ground). Once the foot is lifted, flap the arms like wings. Lower the foot and arms before repeating the pose by lifting the opposite foot.  

If you’d like to practice more poses to build resilience with your toddler, watch and move to my FREE toddler yoga video: “Good Morning!” Just fill out the form below, receive the link and press play!

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3 Yoga Poses To Get Your Toddler To PAY ATTENTION

Guess What? I don’t believe children are any less focused now than they have been in the past.  I believe they just have an unprecedented amount of information being thrown at them, that they have to constantly sift through.  They are bombarded by colors and sounds; all vying for their attention. Their physiology is addicted to the stimulation but they don’t have to be.  It’s not about trying to cut them off from it all, it’s about providing them with tools to practice the developmental skill: FOCUS. Focus, like any other skill, is learned and practiced.  It doesn’t always come naturally or easily, but that doesn’t mean your toddler is destined for a life of unfocus. Let’s be honest, we could all put a bit more practice into this skill! Here are 3 Yoga Poses to pull out when focus seems to be at an all time low: 

Binocular Twist

…for looking closer.  Sometimes we’re moving too fast to see what’s right in front of our faces.  Slow down. Look. Have your child kneel on their heels and lift their hands to circles around their eyes.  Twist all the way to the right (holding the “binoculars”) to their eyes. Then Twist all the way to the left (still holding up the “binoculars”).  What do they see?

Clap-it-Out

…to center distraction.  Unfocus can be the result of unorganized or excessive energy.  Take a moment to shake it out; the practice uses motion to anchor attention to a task which allows focus to recenter.  Prompt your child to reach their hands out to their sides (parallel to the floor).  Count to 3 and then clap hands together and rub; keep rubbing until hands warm up and then place them on a body part (i.e. head, tummy, etc).  Take a deep breath in. And repeat as many times on as many body parts as needed. I usually do it 3x: head, tummy, heart.  

Dolphin

…for turning your focus upside down.  It’s all about perspective. Focus can be limited when the task itself is a challenge.  Teaching your child to look at things from a “different angle” will help them learn that creativity supports focus.  When we can adapt, we can refocus! Have your child start in a tabletop position (hands and knees on the ground) and then have them lower down onto their forearms. Direct them to lift their knees off the ground, straighten their legs, and reach their bottoms up to the sky.    

Consciously finding moments to teach your toddler focus NOW will help them develop their own focus practices as they mature into the demands of the education system and later on into adulthood! Help them practice the ability to find focus by watching this FREE Bendy Bookworm Video!

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3 Reading Time Tools for 5 Year Olds

To Promote LONGER reading engagement for 5 year olds

Focus is a skill that requires practice. Being able to sit for long stretches of reading-time does not necessarily come easily to most toddlers and kindergartners. But developing the ability too, early-on, will become a huge advantage as they grow up and their studies require longer and longer periods of focus and reading retention. You can begin practicing reading focus by promoting longer reading-time moments (i.e. maybe trying to read three books instead of two). Allow it to be gradual and organic; forcing long stretches before practice would be the same as excepting yourself to play Beethoven the first time you sit down at a piano. Be gentle and flexible. Adding in the tools I describe below during reading-time will inadvertently practice their engagement and stamina!

Start with Finger Taps-

…for calm before a book. Sometimes a moment to refocus BEFORE the book helps to prepare them for reading time.  It is natural for their energy to be scattered and their ability to sit for reading will be limited by the amount of chaotic energy they feel.  Giving your child a moment to settle before starting a book will set them up for a more successful reading session. Practice this quick finger play: Take a deep breath in and exhale all the way out.  Bring the pointer finger to touch the thumb, them move the thumb to touch the middle finger, thumb to ring, and then thumb to pinky (counting one, two, three, and four with each touch). Start the sequence again with another deep breath; repeat the process at least 3x.

Pause for Poses-

While reading together, draw your child’s attention to the illustrations.  By expanding their vision from the words to the artwork, you are guiding them to widen their perspective.  Often the illustrations have their own story to tell. Draw their attention to an element of the illustration and then practice the yoga pose for it (i.e. cat pose, tree pose, or butterfly pose, etc.).

Wiggle Breaks-

…in between books.  Let’s get serious, we all have limited attention.  We can practice growing that span of time but we may also need to use alternative methods.  I’ve learned that my attention span greatly increases if I switch up the material (switching between subjects to be able to study longer or switching between a few books to read for longer stretches).  As your child matures and begins to develop their own learning and focus process, you can support their distraction by incorporating wiggle breaks. Give them a chance to move around: move through ALL of the poses practiced with the illustrations or practice them freeze dance style.  Once they’ve gotten their wiggles out, move on to the next book!

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5 Yoga Poses to help CALM a toddler meltdown

Plow Pose- all the benefits of an inversion (upside down poses) while keeping the child grounded on the floor.  This pose calms and relaxes the nerves, brain and heart while still being more active than motionless.  It’s a unique shape which might be the simple change your toddler’s body needs.  

Clap it out- the best motion meditation; requiring just enough changes to draw in your toddler’s attention and refocus excessive energy.  Prompt your child to reach their hands out to their sides (parallel to the floor). Count to 3 and then clap hands together and rub.  Keeping rubbing until hands warm up and then place them on a body part (i.e. head). Take a deep breath in. And repeat as many times on as many body parts as needed.  I usually do it 3x: head, tummy, heart.  

Wish candle- a quieter meditation; bring hands in prayer position in front of the heart.  Prompt your child to think of something happy or offer them a happy thought. Take a deep breathe in and blow the happy thought out (blowing out the candle with their happy wish).     

Happy Baby- Once the child has grabbed their feet, I gently nudge them side to side. Rock them all the way over to one side then gently knocked them over to the other and let the giggles begin.

Hug your knees and rock- NEVER underestimate a good hug and rock.  For toddlers simply allow them to rock side to side or simply lay there hugging their knees to their bellies.  For older children, allow them to rock up and down (forward and backward) along their spine. It’s like the yoga version of a nice rock in a rocking chair. 

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3 Yoga Poses to help your 6 year old finish their homework

Boat Pose- Start a homework session with boat pose.  It’s a challenging pose that requires strength and balance by engaging the core muscles.  Sit on your bottom and lift both feet off the ground then both hands. Move your hands side to side like rowing a boat.  Before the pose remember to speak out loud “I can do hard things!” and then hold the pose for a single verse of “Row Row Row your boat”.  It will amp up and focus your child’s energy, setting them up with confidence to tackle all of their assignments!

Wish Candle- Hands come together at heart center while taking several deep breaths in and out.  This pose is perfect for calming down emotions after homework mistakes or frustrations.  After a full day in school, homework in general can be challenging because they are just tapped out! They want to rush and finish; rushing generally produces mistakes.  Wish candle is a great practice to remind the child to slow down. It can also be used as a refocusing tool between subjects. After one assignment is complete practice a few breaths before diving into the next.

Lion Pose- Celebrate each achievement (completing a particularly tough question or finishing up all the assignments) and Roar out your success!  Lion pose is so great for feeling empowered and confident. Sit on the heels of your feet and bring your hands up like lion claws. Stick your tongue out, take a deep breath, and ROAR the breath out. It’s loud and wild and a great way to celebrate getting all of that homework done.  It’ll remind your child of how much they are capable of achieving!

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